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The Hundred Poets Compared

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In the middle of 19th century, three of Japan's greatest woodblock artists combined their artistry to create one hundred woodblock prints which accompanied the one hundred most cherished Japanese poems. Kuniyoshi (51 prints), Hiroshige (35 prints), and Kunisada (14 prints), each a master in the art of woodblock prints, pooled their talents and produced these magnificent pieces of art treasures.

The book provides nice introductory essays on the history of the one hundred poems ("Hyakunin isshu" - One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each) and the inception and creation of this 100-print series ("Ogura Nazorae Hyakunin Isshu" - Comparisons of the Ogura One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each). There is also some discussion of the Tenpo Reforms during which the series was produced.

The bulk of the book comprises of, for each poem, a faithfully reproduced full-page color plate on the right side of the page, joined by the facing page on the left with the accompanied poem and its translation. The facing also contains information on the poet's name, the poem's title, print's signature, seals, and historical and theatrical background as relating to the woodblock prints and possible connection between the poem and the print. All the information is nicely packaged in a single volume, making looking up the prints and the poems an easy task.

A very useful appendices comprised of lists of artists, censors, subject characters, poets, Kabuki actors and their stage names, playwrights, and censor seals round up the book. In all, a marvelous book with stunning prints and graceful poems. You will find yourself returning to this book over and over again to marvel at the artistic greatness that was Japan not too long ago.